Page "Guinea pig" Paragraph 66

Hairless breeds of guinea pigs have been used in scientific research since the 1980s, particularly for dermatological studies.

A hairless and immunodeficient breed was the result of a spontaneous genetic mutation in inbred laboratory strains from the Hartley stock at the Eastman Kodak Company in 1979.

An immunocompetent hairless breed was also identified by the Institute Armand Frappier in 1978, and Charles River Laboratories has reproduced this breed for research since 1982.

Cavy fanciers then began acquiring hairless breeds, and the pet hairless varieties are referred to as " skinny pigs ".